updated 12:10 pm EDT, Tue September 20, 2011

Free 30-day trial being made available

Apple says it has released Final Cut Pro X 10.0.1, a long-awaited update to the company's professional video editing software. The upgrade adds several promised features, including XML import and export of both project and event information. The addition should make it possible for Final Cut to be better integrated with outside software. Apple's director of pro video product marketing, Richard Townhill, notes that companies like Blackmagic and Square Box have been experimenting with beta versions of the new XML interchange and integrating into existing programs, like BlackMagic's DaVinci.

"Final Cut Pro X is [no longer] an island," says Townshill. "It works and plays well with others... we have a healthy network of third-party developers, and are very excited about what they're going to do."

Another improvement is intelligent stem export from project timelines using a feature called Roles. By applying tags to content, such as "Dialogue" or "Sound Effects," material can be selectively exported without having to disable and then re-enable tracks. This should help in collaboration, particularly as Pro X now supports Xsan, Apple's storage area network platform.

Other additions include timecode start customization, GPU acceleration for export, a fullscreen mode in OS X Lion, and a camera import SDK designed to ensure Pro X-compatible hardware. Townhill admits, however, that several promised features have yet to be implemented, above all multicam editing and broadcast video monitoring. He elaborates that Apple is "fully committed" to adding the options in a 2012 update.

In an unusual twist, Apple is trying to win back alienated editors with a 30-day free trial. The software does not overwrite any Final Cut Studio installation, and Apple has in fact prepared a PDF booklet introducing Pro X to Pro 7 editors.

Little Fixed

Sorry but Apple have NOT "fixed" much of what is wrong with FCPX. Adding new unwanted features that continue to insist that the way we've worked for twenty years is wrong and Apple is right just doesn't cut it. Apple seem to have completely misinterpreted the criticisms in relation to XML support to the extent that this update suggests that Apple are now completely deaf to the requirements of professionals. The 30 day trial is for the kiddies that Apple are now targeting since they became a consumer retail toy company.

Reality Distortion

I agree with Feathers that very little of what real pro users have issues with is fixed with this update. Apple's declaration that this proves they are listening actually proves the opposite. This is beginning to look more like Word 6 for Mac every day. Forced to put FCP 7 back on the market. Forced to offer a trial. This is an all-points screwup, and given Apple's glacial FCP development pace, it could take years to make it right.

My guess is that power-user amateurs are thrilled with FCPX. I'm happy for them. But I think a lot of them can't quite grasp why pros are so pissed off. Anyway...

All this said, I have to quibble with the opening line that this is a "long awaited" update. FCPX has been out, what, two months?

The Version Numbering convention gives it away....

Ahem guys. The Update being 10.0.1 and not 10.1.0 should tell you this is not a significant update God dammit...... And aussiearn... I agree too. And no I am not defending Apple either. This was a grand F**k up on their part too!
LOL

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The pro users might not like the new FInal Cut Pro X, however, Apple clearly is listening. First, pros complained that Apple took the old version off the market. Apple responded by saying it had to look at licensing issues (e.g. patent royalties) before deciding what to do. It then made the old version available. Second, people complained about having to buy software before being able to try it. Apple has now corrected that. Had that been in effect when the new version came out, it would have saved a few people money and frustration. Third, Apple has provided a minor update that addresses a few complaints with the new release. Fourth, Apple has made public when it plans to provide other features such as multi cam support.

What pros don't understand is Apple had to write Final Cut Pro X from the ground up as Apple moved from development environments. It was a huge undertaking and required writing millions of lines of code from scratch.

Like when Apple went from the Classic OS to OSX, it focused on providing a solid foundation to build on for the future. For many it might not be usable in its current state, Apple, however, will grow the software from a much more stable base.

In my view, Apple's biggest mistake was not 1) to better inform users of the changes; 2) inform people updates were coming; and 3) remove the old one from the market knowing the pros rely on the software.